From Flamearies 1427 (2 U)

Good afternoon brothers & sisters! God is good? *All the time!* God is greater! *wait what* 

I wanted to write about a few people in my life who've been instrumental in my spiritual journey; people who have shaped me in both substantial & subtle ways. I wasn't able to attend their last event in the chapter and I guess this is my way of making it up to all of them. Hope you enjoy & God bless always. Sincerely, The Boy. 

Vanessa Potusek 

Hello friend! It's been an honour serving with you both in the communities of CFC Youth and Saint Matthew's; from the frequent My Seven From Heaven retreats to Camp Vision, I am blessed to have been apart of your journey. Although your time in Alpha was short-lived, thank you for coming regardless even though sometimes it'd just be me, you, Edward, and the Reyes'. I hope you're doing well and killing the post secondary life! See you around at Saint Matthew's & let me know if you ever need an extra set of hands at parish youth events. 

Stephanie Chin 

Stefact! You are such a cool and wonderful human being. Your maturity and the seriousness in which you take your service has continually inspired me this past few years and I hope you know that. I still can't comprehend how you juggle your busyness with service / school / family / friends / personal life so simply and courageously. I don't think I have ever seen you in a bad mood or in a state that does not reflect genuine kindness to all you meet. I feel like you're that one wise sensei in every karate movie ever that just offers the advice that helps the hero get over the hump; I can't begin to imagine how many people you may have affected in this way but I know that I am one of them. Thank you for helping me out during my grade 11 year and for easing my fears of post-secondary & school itself. I pray and hope that you succeed in wherever life takes you and that you know I'm always here if you need someone to edit your essay. (Which I doubt needs any editing anyways hehe) Live long & prosper friend~ 


Marc Marcelino

You have the coolest laptop stickers ever. I know we aren't really the closest of brothers but I am grateful for the times we saw each other on the 320 and talked briefly about our lives at school. Your enthusiasm & zeal for the people that you serve has inspired me and I'm sure countless others in the chapter of East 2. You are the epitome of a person who seeks out those who may be alone or separate from the larger group and I think that is something that the world needs more of these days. I wish you all the best in what ever the Lord has in store for you and I'll be here to support. 

Agnes Natoc 

Athelite! We've been friends for pretty much the last half decade and please know that I am forever grateful for your friendship and presence in my life. Thank you for putting up with me & Edward & Alvin during our times in choir and for being the mom of Tonic. I've been blessed with the gift of seeing you grow in the community from someone who was fairly new to guitar to playing fricking electric at an event. (!!!) Your dedication and genuine love for the chapter of East 2 is one that I strive for and hold myself to; because you understand the importance of saving souls and approaching service as just that. It's crazy that we literally went to the same basketball camp and yet only met a few years later in the community, praise God! I pray and hope that you succeed in wherever your journey takes you and that you know that I'll always be here to cheer you on. (Pls don't break my ankles if we ever play ball ty) 

Ronelle Vincent De Ocampo 

Bro, you already know wassup. We've been friends and brothers for the last decade of our lives and I know that's been one of the greatest things I have been blessed to experience. From our time in Kids For Christ with Edward, John and Rafael to our weird grade 6/7 phase with all that drama & growth, we've been through an abundance of mountains, valleys and rock-bottoms. I remember when we were at Saint Matthew's waiting for mass to start and how we randomly opened up to each other about our own crosses & vices; I think that moment really showed me how truly valuable (and rare) true friends are to find. Thanks for letting me come over to play 2k and eat your candy, I know it's been awhile since it happened but hey, like it or not - we are getting old. Thank you for youR maturity and authenticity as a person & a friend. It's been awhile since we've caught up but that's ok; I hope you're enjoying BCIT and (soon) having your own room.
Johnjo's tomorrow? 

Althea Tirona

Althea! Thank you for letting me serve ROCK with you and for being so friendly to all the kiddos. (No matter how rowdy or loud they may get) I swear I thought you were older by only one year but your maturity and wisdom speaks otherwise. Thank you for the advice and tips on post-secondary life at Duffin's and for also your dedication to the future leaders of East 2 in Kids For Christ. I hope that all is well and that you prosper in your new service role; let me know if you ever need a group discussion leader or even KPD, I promise that I will try my best. 

Jorien Vere Ilagan 

Hello UBC friendo! Thank you for your friendship and companionship, particularly during these past few weeks of September. Remember that talk we had at Wendy's before you were asked to step up last year? It feels like it was just last week and yet look at where we are now. I know that emotions may be difficult to deal with at times and perhaps even impossible; but remember that we are human. We are prone to feeling both profound happiness and utter sadness. When God realizes that we are too full of the worlds troubles, He empties us so that we may be filled by His love and promise. Don't let this world harden your heart but rather open it up so that you may love more. I'm always here if you need an ear or even a study buddy at Koerner / The Nest / Life Building / Swimming Pool / A&W. Onwards & upwards! 

Emmanuel Jan Abuel 

EJ. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that we entered the community together at Exalted and that the Lord blessed me with a fellow Cloverdale brother in East 2. If you didn't already know, you are actually so wise and so articulate with the way that you offer advice. You give simple and plain encouragement but also impart with me practical ways that I can overcome my struggles and hardships. We haven't really been that close during these last few years but in this case, time has no value whatsoever on how one person may impact another's in a profound way. You commit yourself to your service and dedicate your efforts to those that you serve; whether it be leading a pastoral with all four units by yourself & juggling 3783171 courses or even just driving people to morning mass at Saint Matthew's. You've impacted me by helping me realize that there is more to service than my own desires & self-interests. You've helped me embrace the fact that sometimes I have to ask not what others can do for me but rather what I can do for them. I hope that you continue to serve those around with you with the same love & care that you served me & East 2. You'll always be the fearless leader & dad of everyone in East Two no matter where you go; Godspeed my brother. <3 

To You All 

First of all, thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to read this impromptu blog post; I hope that you're staying hydrated, smiling lots, and loving even more. 

Know that your impact on East 2 goes beyond simple sentences and paragraphs. You've both directly and indirectly affected the souls of every person you've encountered during your time in the chapter and I hope & pray that you continue to do so wherever the Lord takes you. 

I'll always be, "The Boy" to you guys and I'm signing off with a final thank you for your service, love, passion, blood, sweat, tears, voice cracks & sleepless nights you've contributed to East 2. 

Godspeed and remember always that L-drago suc-

AMDG